Hi friends! My two FABULOUS traveling buddies (SheShe from SheSheShow and Shauna from Chico Over 50) and I just returned from a whirlwind trip to Italy and we did SO much in 8 days that I’m breaking our trip out into 3 separate posts so that I can properly share with you all that we did. But let’s first start with the flight over.
Seeing as there were no direct flights from any of our respective home cities, we all agreed to meet in Dallas and take the long flight over to Rome. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I travel internationally I pretty much wear no makeup AND I load up on all my travel accessories. … Apparently SheShe does, too.
If you’ve ever traveled to Europe before, then you know that it takes essentially a day to get there and a day to get home so we really only had 6 days in Italy and the first day that you arrive is always the worst. We arrived at 7:00 AM (!!!) in Rome and agreed that we just needed to suck it up and stay awake for as long as we could.
We first strolled the streets around our hotel …
grabbed a quick breakfast …
and then, frankly, did what we do best together ~ struck a pose!
Around 11:00 AM, we ventured to our hotel to inquire if BY ANY CHANCE our rooms were ready and it turned out that they were, so the kind folks at Harry’s Bar & Hotel Trevi allowed us to check in and lay our heads down … if only for a few hours.
Harry’s Bar & Hotel Trevi is a 5 star hotel located just STEPS AWAY from the Trevi Fountain and is a lovely, lovely place to stay. Considering the “star” rating and the amazing location, the room rate is really quite good … there’s even an archeological site located in the basement of the hotel! . Definitely worth checking out if you ever find yourself traveling to Rome. Learn more and/or book a room here.
We set our alarms and caught only a few hours of sleep as we needed to freshen up and meet in the lobby. We were then off to a private tour of the Vatican where we met up with Fr. Thomas Montanaro, L.C.
I’ve wandered through St. Peter’s Basilica before on past trips to Rome but having an experienced guide, who lives on site … and is American and speaks English … is such a wonderful treat. Built upon the tomb of St Peter, St Peter’s Basilica is one of the world’s holiest catholic shrines and is visited by thousands of pilgrims and tourists every month.
And I can assure you that no matter what your religious affiliation might be, you can’t help but be moved and will stand in awe of this spectacular site.
At the end of our tour, Fr. Thomas gave us each a Miraculous Medal, also known as the Medal of the Immaculate Conception, that had been blessed by the Holy Father that very morning.
It was already 7:00 PM and the three of us were exhausted from being awake for so many hours and although we just wanted to go to sleep, we had received the awesome recommendation to have dinner at Piccolo Arancio Restaurant. SO glad we did as I enjoyed the most DELISH Roman artichokes I’ve ever had in my life!
The next morning we went up to the rooftop of our hotel and shot THIS for our friends are Soma. … and as I like to say, SOMA in ROMA! Now you can see just how close the Trevi Fountain is to Harry’s Bar & Hotel Trevi.
We then quickly changed and shot THIS.
Now, these aren’t the Spanish Steps, but their steps … in ROME.
We then packed our bags, went for a very quick shopping trip to the Chanel store where SheShe and I may, or may not, have purchased the newest Chanel cuff that this particular store only had two of …
and we were then off to our next destination: FLORENCE. More on that coming soon in Part Two of our trip, meanwhile … shop our looks below. … nearly EVERYTHING we wore came from Chico’s! xoxoxo
I loveeeeeee all of yall’s pajamas! It didn’t look like you spent enough time in Rome, tho ?
Jammies are from Soma, Joyce – and thank you! We loved them too. Sadly we were only in Rome for (literally) 30 hours and Florence is where we spent the next 4 days (and WAIT ’til you see where we went to after that!) … but it’s easier (and cheaper) to fly to and from Rome than it is to fly to and from Florence.
Oh wow! What an amazing trip! I’ve never been to Italy but it looks spectacular! That view from your hotel! Are you kidding me? Wowza! I can’t wait to see the rest!
THAT VIEW, Amy!! It’s totally worth staying there because you completely avoid the crowds in front of the Trevi Fountain — plus it was a 5 star hotel. (breakfast included!)
SO much more to come! xoxoxo
This was a must read and I can not wait for part “Due” ! I work for The Catholic Foundation and my goal is to get to Italy in the next two years for a visit. My son has gone for three weeks with his Dad and I feel like any trip to Europe, Rome is a must see for it s history and culture. Your food looked amazing in your pics and the background is just everything I picture it in my dreams. Love that you ventured off to Chanel and did the big purchase on the cuff. Your beautiful fusia pink dress is a mu!st, both flowy and comfortable looking. The PJ’s are a must I love my Soma sleep wear! I will be staying tuned in for the next post! Maybe I should take a peek on your IG?
Please excuse my typos! I was so excited to respond…
Ha! You’re so cute, Mitchie! You must make that goal — Italy is my most favorite country in Europe (even though my Mom lives in France) and the Vatican and The Vatican Museum you could spend DAYS in.
Lucky ladies. My favorite place on earth!
I KNOW you love it there!
Jamie you wear Chico’s like no other!
Awhhh, shucks – Lance!
That maxi dress on you is STUNNING!!
It my new fave maxi dress, D!